As Li Chen arrived home, he quickly dropped off Zhang Mei, ensuring she was safe before continuing on to Madame Tang's house. Arriving at the modest home, Li Chen parked his car and approached the front door cautiously.
As he stepped onto the porch, he noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere, a sense of tension hanging in the air. The door creaked open, revealing Madame Tang's small living room filled with dim light. Li Chen's senses sharpened as he scanned the room, noticing movement in the shadows.
"Who's there?" Li Chen called out, his voice steady but alert.
A figure emerged from the darkness, stepping into the faint light. It was Madame Tang's neighbor, Mrs. Li, a frail elderly woman with a worried expression etched on her face.
"Thank goodness you're here," Mrs. Li said, her voice trembling slightly. "There are men inside Madame Tang's house. They've been asking about something, something about a manual."
